Preparations

Preparation Methodology for MBA entrance exams

Various entrance exams like CAT, IIFT, SNAP, JMET, FMS, XAT, etc. are conducted between November and January. Most students start their preparation for the various exams roughly around January. Of course, starting earlier definitely gives you an edge, which is why many coaching classes start as early as July the previous year. The time you start is completely a personal preference, depending on factors like capacity, intelligence, dedication, sincerity, and most importantly, how badly you want it. Generally, most serious candidates join an MBA coaching class to help them crack the CAT and other entrance exams. Of course, there are also those candidates who don't take classes due to financial constraints, because frankly, classes are rapidly becoming frightfully expensive. Also, its not necessary that aspirants, who join a coaching class, will surely crack the CAT, or any other exam.

Can I crack the CAT without joining a coaching institute? Well, maybe you can, but it's certainly not easy. While it has been done before, the kind of competition you have nowadays is almost scary. It may be possible to crack the CAT without classes, but it's a long shot, and is pretty improbable. So what options do I have? It's quite simple. The most commonly taken route is to join one of the coaching classes, following which they'll provide you material, as well as a strategy to complete your portion on time. Now, if you decide not to join a coaching class, you'll have to arrange for various study materials and practice sheets. Books and materials of different coaching classes are available in most book stores selling second-hand materials. One can also seek study material from peers who have joined an MBA coaching institute.

Every MBA entrance exam has three broad categories as follows; Verbal Ability (VA)Quantitative Analysis (QA)Data Interpretation (DI)(Some entrance exams like IIFT and SNAP also have General Knowledge (GK) as an additional category.) Let us look at the preparation required for each category.

Verbal Ability (VA) This section involves reading comprehension, grammar and sentence correction etc. It is very important to read newspapers and editorial columns religiously for vocabulary-building. It is a proven fact that regularly reading newspapers and editorial columns will help encounter a lot of English words which are not spoken in common parlance. Also, maintaining a diary of the words encountered while reading a newspaper/magazine will benefit substantially. The Times of India is the most preferred newspaper to read as it makes use of a lot of words which can be encountered in the run-up to the MBA entrance exams.In case you happen to join a coaching class, make sure you practise the assignments and sheets distributed in the class.

Quantitative Analysis (QA) This section involves all the basics of mathematics which we have studied from Std. IV to Std. X. Examples include Profit and Loss, Time Speed and Distance, Quadratic and Simultaneous Equations, Work, Geometry, etc. However, the sums involve a lot of thinking and analytical skills. It is very important to regularly practise problems and maintain a constant touch with ‘Quant’ (as it is commonly called among MBA aspirants) to score heavily in this section. Many websites contain libraries of concepts and applications related to Quant. The concepts have been beautifully explained with practical applications in CAT and various other entrance exams. Also, ‘Quantitative Analysis’ by Arun Sharma is the most sought-after book to crack CAT, XAT, JMET, etc. It contains a large number of practice problems with levels of difficulty: Easy, Medium and Tough.

Data Interpretation (DI): This section involves questions based on given charts, tables and statistics. It also includes various Logical Reasoning (LR) problems which involves a lot of analytical skills. Regular practice of sums and problems will help get a feel of how a problem must be approached and solved. Again, ‘Data Interpretation’ by Arun Sharma is a perfect guide to practise various problems of DI and LR. Following points are a must while solving problems in QA and DI Reciprocals : from 1 to 20Tables : from 1 to 30Squares : from 1 to 50Cubes : from 1 to 15The above four points will help solve a lot of problems rapidly. Subsequently, it will also help you attempt more problems of QA and DI sections.

Solving MBA test papers When solving test papers, time management is the most important and crucial factor. Proper management of time is a sure-shot way to cracking CAT and other entrance exams. It is virtually impossible to solve all the questions in a test paper. Hence, one must choose and solve questions as per one’s area of expertise. The CAT is essentially a test of your nerves, patience and time-management skills rather than your intelligence. One can begin a test paper from any of the categories as enlisted above. Some may have a stronghold in Verbal Ability. Some may have a strong base in solving Quantitative Analysis. One should always begin with the section that he/she is confident in, so that it sets a nice tone for the rest of the paper.

A word of caution It is very important to crack all the three sections of the paper. One cannot do away with scoring brilliantly in one section and performing moderately in other sections. IIMs look for candidates who have performed the best in all the three sections. E.g. IIMs look for a candidate having the following percentile in the above section; QA: 99.2 % DI: 99.1 % VA: 98.8 % Yes, it is a fact. Hence, a candidate scoring 99.8 % in QA, 67 % in VA and 80% in DI cannot expect a GD/PI call for IIMs. Institutes like IIMs give equal importance to all the three sections. Some institutes, though, focus on the final score of the test paper (IMT, NITIE, etc). Coming to the kind of preparation required post-June, one must solve as many test papers as possible. One can also enrol for a test-series program conducted by many coaching institutes. Solving as many test papers as possible will expose oneself to a variety of questions. Also, it will make one understand his/her strong points and weak points in a particular area which can be worked upon. Moreover, solving test papers will build confidence to appear for CAT and other entrance exams. Most importantly, it will lead to effective time management. As mentioned earlier, proper time management is the passport to Belling the CAT. One should not spend the entire day solving papers and practising various Quant-based and Verbal-based problems. Excess of everything is bad, goes the famous saying. Take some time out for leisure and recreation, do activities which relaxes your mind. Some people have a habit of mugging up the solution of a particular problem. Please, abstain from such behaviour. It is not going to help at all. One should understand the concepts and the methodology involved in solving a problem. A month before the CAT exam, revisit all the concepts, formulae, applications of problems in QA and DI. Also, go through the test papers (which you have solved) and understand the way the problem is approached and solved. Keep cool while appearing for MBA entrance exams. Nervousness will further aggravate the situation.To conclude, it may be true that the CAT (and any other entrance exam) depends heavily on your patience, sharpness, understanding, and even luck, but it's equally important to realise that there is absolutely no substitute for hard work. If you put in efforts, no force in the world can stop you from reaping the fruits of your hard work.

Admission Process

Admission Process for MBA/MMS Colleges in Maharashtra through MAH CET

Note:

The eligibility criteria is minimum of 50% aggregate in any Bachelor’s degree for general candidates (45% for backward classes) . Students in their final year of graduation can also appear, provided they complete their degree with the same minimum percentage.

Students who wish to apply through CMAT and CAT can do so only for the All INDIA seats (15 % of the total intake).

Also, students can apply through both CAT/CMAT and CET. In this case, the best score would be considered during the CAP Rounds.

The various stages of MAH-MBA/MMS-CET 2012, GD & PI and Centralized Admission Process (CAP) are as follows:

Stage I: Sale of Information Brochure

The information brochure and “MAHMBA/MMS-CET 2012 Kit” will be available at the selected Axis Bank branches for an application fee of Rs. 1150/- for General Category (Rs. 950/- for Reserved Category). The payment has to be made in cash. The kit contains online application ID and password using which the candidate has to register on the dte website. You will get a receipt for the payment and it is VERY important that you preserve it till you secure admission. Also, students not appearing for CET but applying through CMAT/CAT for ALL INDIA seats have to buy the brochure and register. This step is mandatory for them.

Stage II : Registration for CET

Read the information given in the kit carefully and then fill the online application form which has to be submitted online. You will be asked to fill up your personal details and qualification details as well as your choice of Test Centre. You will also need to upload your photo and signature as instructed in the kit. The candidate has to verify the correctness of the information and finally confirm the submission. Thereafter, the HALL TICKET will be generated.

Stage III: Written Examination & Declaration of Results

The written examination will be held on March 11, 2012. The marks distribution is as follows:-

Head

Marks

Common Entrance Test (CET)

200

Group Discussion (GD)

17

Personal Interview (PI)

17

Past Academic Record (PAR)

4

Work Experience (WE)

2

Total

240

The provisional results of CET will be declared on website of DTE.

Stage IV : Registering and Appearing for GD & PI

The eligible candidates need to register online for GD/PI. Candidates will have the option of selecting the date for their GD/PI. The system shall generate “GD & PI Call Letter”. The candidate has to take the printout and appear for the GD & PI as per the schedule and venue mentioned in call letter. Students applying through CMAT/CAT scores also have to give the GD/PI. Candidates should appear for both GD & PI at the designated venue, date & time as mentioned in the Call Letter.

Stage V: Submission of Work Experience certificate

The candidate should send proforma-G given in the information brochure in Original along with following documents (Attested Xerox Copies) for getting the work experience marks.

Experience Certificate(s)

Appointment Order(s)

Joining Report(s)

Marklist of qualifying examination

Relieving letter(s)( if applicable)

The proforma-G and above mentioned documents should be sent through Registered Post only as per schedule at the following address by clearly mentioning on the envelope the Application ID of the candidate and write : “WE certificates for MAH-MBA/MMS-CET 2012” The Director, Sydenham Institute of Management Studies & Research and Entrepreneurship Education, B-Road, Churchgate, Mumbai-400 020

Stage VI: Confirmation of “Application Form for Admission” at ARC

The candidates have to verify the details provided by them in person at the ARC. They have to take all the supporting original documents along with proforma-I from the information brochure to the ARC for verification. They need to submit attested photocopies of their originals. The HALL Ticket and Payment Receipt is required for identification at the ARC.

Stage VII: Display of Merit list and issue of score card

The Provisional Merit Lists will be displayed on the DTE's website. If there are any discrepancies request for corrections should be lodged at the ARC within the given time period. Then, as per the schedule, the final Merit List will be displayed. The scorecards will be dispatched via post to the given address.

Note: For students applying through CMAT/CAT, their respective scores would be converted into equivalent CET scores.

Stage VIII: CAP Rounds

All students, irrespective of CET/CAT/CMAT exam they have given, have to fill the option form online. The option form has to be confirmed online. No need to go to the ARC.

CAP Round

Options

Eligibility

Mandatory Admission

Round I

Minimum 1 and Maximum 30 options

ALL

First 3 options admission has to be taken. Candidate is not eligible for further rounds.

Round II

Minimum 1 and Maximum 50 options

Those haven't taken admission in Round I

If you get allotted any of the options you have to take admission. Candidate is not eligible for further rounds.

CAP Round I For CAP Round I candidate can enter minimum 1 and maximum 30 options. Once the option form is confirmed online you cannot make any changes. The allotment would be displayed as per the schedule on the dte website. If a student gets allotted in any 1 of his first 3 options, he is no longer eligible for further rounds and he has to secure his admission. For the same, the candidates need to report to the respective institute within the stipulated time period. If a student gets allotted in any option other than his first 3 options, he has the choice to either take admission or not to take admission and wait for the CAP Round II.

CAP Round II For CAP Round II candidate can enter minimum 1 and maximum 50 options. Once the option form is confirmed online you cannot make any changes. The allotment would be displayed as per the schedule on the dte website. If a student gets allotted in any of the options, he is no longer eligible for further rounds and he has to secure his admission. For the same, the candidates need to report to the respective institute within the stipulated time period. Only if a student is not allotted he is eligible for CAP Round III.

CAP Round III In this Round there is no online option form. The candidate has to report in person to the “Centre of Admission” as declared by the DTE. In this Round, only Maharashtra State candidates are eligible and all the seats (including ALL INDIA and reserved category seats) are considered to be General seats. The candidate will report as per schedule at the Center of Admission along with the necessary original documents and carry part payment of non-refundable fees of Rs.15000/- in the form of DD drawn on “The Director, Technical Education” payable at Mumbai. The candidates will also have to pay a processing fee of Rs 100/- for CAP Round III at the Center of Admission. The candidates will be called according to their merit and offered the vacant seats. The candidate has to accept the admission on the spot. The admission is secured by paying the DD of Rs 15000/-. The candidate can later go to the concerned institute and pay the balance fees and complete rest of the formalities.

Learn the Seniors' Way

If you want to do your MBA from one of the better colleges around, it’s no point gazing at the empty skies for inspiration. Much rather just view the nice list of student profiles that we’ve accumulated here, and get an idea about where you stand.